A Source of Additional Income for Farmers, This Year the Rates of the Wheat Byproduct Have Touched a Low of ₹130/Quintal

A record dip in the prices of toori (chopped wheat straw), which is used as animal fodder, due to lesser demand in the dairy sector this year has left the wheat growers in a fix.

- Vishal Joshi

BATHINDA:

Traders say this year, rates in several parts of the state remained stagnant at ₹130-₹180 per quintal, whereas in 2024, its rates touched ₹500 per quintal.

Experts warned that if the trend continues, it may push the farmers to burn the wheat residue as they will be left with no option for the disposal of the straw.

Stakeholders attribute a sharp decline in demand to the use of silage, a processed and nutritious cattle feed prepared from maize and other ingredients, by the dairy sector, as well as the using rice straw as feed.

Faridkot-based Lakhwinder Singh, who has been supplying toori to the dairy owners and industry for over a decade, said earlier a farmer could get ₹800-900 for a quintal.